HEY FAM,

Just wanted to let you know that my roomy and I just launched a new T-shirt line that we are ridiculously excited about. Our first two shirt styles from the collection are below…

It all started when I was waiting for my girlfriends to meet me at dinner for a business meeting. I was ecstatic that I was not only on time but 15 minutes early and for those of you who know me that is very impressive. As I sat there waiting for them to arrive it just popped in my head “I need a Barack in my life” and I said to myself that would be a dope T-shirt plus since it really is the way I feel it makes since LMAO. I want be just like Michelle and meet my Barack one day! So not too long after this is when we found out about the tragic news on MJ. And when I tell you that our apartment is like a daily tribute to him I mean it. So the night after the news and hours of morning, dancing to his songs on youtube, and trying to sing like him B says “I am gonna make an MJ tribute shirt to wear tonight” and the rest is history. We came up with a cute design..We wanted it to be simple, cute, and to the point and VOILA! SIX ‘09 was born.

You’ve seen the Barack T-shirt slogan here first so spread the word and lets inspire our men.
Hope you like them!
Just hit me up if you wanna rock one

Ally

FASHION FACTS 101

By Candace Wheeler

As a surveyor of style I found my interest piqued while watching an episode of Bravo’s “The Fashion Show”. Hosted by iconic designer Issac Mizrahi and entertainer Kelly Rowland, the show is Bravo’s revamped replacement for the recently network departed “Project Runway” which is set to air on Lifetime in August. Every week designers are given tight deadlines and extreme design requirements to create inspiring original designs. At the end of each elimination challenge the designer custom pieces are placed in a fashion show and judged by an audience full of designers and potential buyers. This week’s episode had Issac Mizrahi quizzing the designer hopeful on American designer Icons and their signature collections. After watching I was inspired to go on a fact finding-mission of my own to learn a little bit more about the designers below who changed the world of fashion forever.

Emilio Pucci:

Pucci is known for his wonderfully vibrant and complex geometric print dresses and blouses. His designs range from handbags, apparel to shoes and accessories.

Fun Fact Find: Pucci designed a line of uniform for airline stewardess of the now defunct Brainif airlines. He also designed the three bird motif for the design patch for the Apollo 15 space mission.

Yves Saint Laurent:

A household name Yves Saint Laurent began his career in fashion at the tender age of 21 when he was made the head designer of the House of Dior. It was during his time spent that Yves created his iconic trapeze dress and signature design aesthetic which included a narrow shoulder and a flared bottom.

Fun Fact Find:

Yves Saint Laurent was the first designer to use black models in his runway show as well as Asian and Pacific Islander models.

Madame Gres:

Gres was most famous for her draped and pleated silk jerseys which flattered the body with a minimalist touch signature of the 1930’s. She is also the genius behind the now popular Grecian style white dress.

Fun Fact Find:

Alix Barton acquired the name Madame Gres after selling the rights to her legal name in the early part of her career.

LEA MUSES BAGS AND ACCESSORIES ARE COOL LIKE THAT

By Monique Johnson

Lea Muses, and her company, Muses handbags and accessories are the perfect blend of uptown and downtown style, using fabrics, materials, and colors that are individually unique, but when their powers are combined the result is pure bliss. She-blogs recently sat down with Lea Muses to discuss her passion for that thing called fashion, her global travels, and being born to do this.

She-blogs: When did you fall in love with fashion?

Lea Muses: I grew up in my mom’s hair salon above a vintage clothing store in Harvard Square and as a child my bedtime stories, featured walking the runways of Paris designing perfume. My grandmother was a fashionista who collected antiques and jewelry. She taught me etiquette. Fashion is a lifestyle. That lifestyle drives the way you wear the clothes. My mom also pushed pampering yourself, hair, nails, and grooming was very important. I was walking around the house in her high heels at a young age. My dad is a painter and taught me about fine art and craftsmanship. I was born in The Netherlands, so Europe has a strong influence on my style.

She-blogs: What is your definition of style?

Muses: Style is learned but natural. Following trends is easy but style is when self-expression meets the occasion. It’s not about matching but being appropriate for certain settings and being intentional in purpose. Style is an art form that isn’t only related to clothing and it’s better to be overdressed because you set the bar.

She-blogs: What inspires you?

Muses: When I need inspiration, I go shopping for supplies and look at outside influences such as architectural magazines. I love the the 40’ s-60 because it reminds me of my grandma. Music also inspires me. I listen to jazz in the morning and electronic music in the afternoon. Because I used to dance, music is a huge part of my life and I need it to design. My creative process starts when I think of a story line then I produce a bag for that story.

She-blogs: What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself and how do other people describe you? Muses: I would describe myself as ever evolving, a comedian, and a romantic. I would also say Ms. Fix-it because I’m always fixing things around the house. When I draw I don’t erase. Mistakes are welcomed. I always add to them rather than take them away. Friends would say that I am energetic, inspirational, and determined.

She-blogs: Like the chicken or the egg, which came first art and design or style?
Muses: Out of necessity comes invention. So style then design in my case. We didn’t have much money so I created the things that I wanted. I have been drawing since age four. By age 2, I started to get really excited about fabrics, colors and texture. I would often climb into a clean laundry basket and toss fabric here and there.

She-blogs: When you attended UMASS Amherst were you giving style and accessory consultations for friends, tell me about that experience?
Muses: Well, I was an art major at UMASS Amherst and I was obsessed with photography. I was there on a track scholarship. I always put together looks for friends for parties but that’s what girls do! At UMASS Amherst I learned the fundamentals of art and photography. I interned at Def Jam’s art department to learn graphic design/ art direction plus being in New York excited me. So I transferred to FIT in my senior year. At The Fashion Institute of Technology, I learned how to apply those skills to the fashion business. I started my modeling career while I was in school. I took that as a learning opportunity as well. I observed the stylists, and show directors, while walking the catwalks in Milan, and landing ad campaigns for Amex and iPOD and various editorial mentions such as Essence, and Glamour Magazines. There are so many skills that I’ve acquired over the years to help me start this business.

She-blogs: How does your global travel and upbringing expressed in your designs?
Muses: Traveling is the most important thing in life besides love of course!
Sometimes you have to be in other surroundings to find and understand yourself. That’s what happened to me when I went to Italy for a design. I found a way to express myself. I came home started to sketch and create immediately. I was so inspired, the dam broke and the rivers of ideas just rushed out and flowed onto the paper.

She-blogs: How do you come up with the designs for your creations?
Muses: I draw a lot it’s a great design exercise when looking for new ideas. My accessories are for women that want to make a statement. They are both timeless and classic. My materials, artwork, photographs, collages and paints inspire my designs and sometimes I work in reverse. Many mornings, I wake up sketching. I believe that there is a universal pool of creativity that we all have access to.

She-blogs: Do you see House of Muses branching out into other areas?
Muses: Yes, most definitely I would like to eventually design jewelry and house wares and expand Muses to be a lifestyle brand that encourages people to live inspired lifestyles.

SHE-BLOGS

PHOTO SHOOT

THE SIMPLE THINGS

By Ally Marie
Ok so I came across these bangles and love them! Two reasons… The first is because they are simple, cute, and stylish without being over the top. You can throw them on with ripped jeans and a tank and be on your way The second reason is because each Alex and Ani piece is environmentally conscious and hand crafted from recycled metals that inspire the spirit by designer, Carolyn Rafaelian. I love it! Environmentally conscious and fashionable at the same time.
www.alexandani.com

PLUS MORE BEAUTY

By Ally Marie

Plus size women, plus sized models, plus sized stores, plus sized magazines…

In a perfect world we would just call them women, models, stores, and magazines and wouldn’t have to put a label in front.

But unfortunately that’s not how people view things especially in the fashion industry. I have heard from some of my friends and even some she-blogs readers that there just aren’t enough stylish options for “plus” size women out there and I totally agree and because of that I think that the key is learning how to develop a style that compliments you. That way you would really be able to go in any plus sized store and piece together a stylish masterpiece. I shop everywhere! From Macy’s to Marshall’s to Vintage shops and at the end of the day part of it is not about the stores it’s about my style and what I piece together.

Finding the perfect fit depends on factors like your height, weight, and shape.
So with that said I am basing my tips and opinions on some of the women I have styled over the past few years…

• Try to stick to your true size and don’t worry about fitting into a special number. The end result will be something cute and flattering
• Belts should be your best friend for any size woman because they can give any dress or top an hour glass shape
• Layered tanks are a cute way to balance out your shape
• Try clothes that have some spandex in them because it may help them to fall the right way.
• An A-line skirt is always a winner. A line’s also create an hourglass look because they slightly flare at the hem. They can be paired with a cute plain tank and a cropped pretty colored cardigan sweater
• High waist wide-leg long pants or jeans are nice with short cropped tops

After doing online research and honestly not coming up with many stylish options to choose from I did find out that Forever 21 is tapping into the plus-size market with their new Faith 21 line. I think it is only carried in select stores so far… I perused through about 12 pages on their website of tops, jeans, tanks, leggings and skirts and chose my favorites…